2008 B-Met Recap

The 2008 B-Mets Recap


1B/OF Nick Evans (Mack Prospect #2):

Evans got his shot this year and seems to have solidified at least a future utility role with the Mets. I’m thrilled for the guy. Let’s hope the next time we see him in Binghamton is when the team is retiring his number.


LF Josh Peterson

Peterson started out as a first baseman, then became a third baseman, and now he’s working on the outfield. All through this, he has always hit well, though no one ever talks about him. I look for him to play every day for the Mets AAA team in 2009, and he does still have an outside chance as a future utility player for the Mets. Also, probably trade bait.


1B/OF/DH Mike Carp (Mack Prospect # 10)

The resurgence of Carlos Delgado, and the promotion of Nick Evans changed everything for Carp this year. Mike had a good year, but the blush seems to be off the Mets rose here. The Mets will try and sign Tex in the off season, but another one year platoon of Delgado/Evans would work also. By then, Ike Davis might be ready to pass Carp and Wilmer Flores may pass all of them. Bottom line… Carp needs a trade.


CF Fernando Martinez (Mack Prospect # 6)
It’s anyone’s guess where F-Mart winds up next spring. I really don’t believe he is ready to start in Queens yet, and if the Mets were smart, they would give him another year at AAA ball to mature. Either way, Martinez is starting to look like a #2 hitter at best.


RF Caleb Stewart

Stewart has had a nice Mets minor league career, which will continue with a starting job in the AAA outfield next year. After that, I can’t see much of a future for him in Queens.


C Salomon Manriquez

You can’t have enough good defensive catchers in the minors and Manriquez is one of them. He also hit pretty decently this past year and will be back at AAA, working with the young pitchers.


2B Jon Malo

Malo doesn’t project out as a probably major league player, but he has earned himself a promotion to AAA, where he will compete with Argenis Reyes.


3B Shawn Bowman (Mack prospect #11)

Most of Bowman’s success was at the B-Met and Lucy level, but this is a story worthy of a made-for-TV movie. Only time will tell if his broken body can hold up, but if it does, thing are ging to get awfully crowded in the Mets infield soon. Look for Bowman to play the entire year for the AAA-Mets team, and try to avoid being traded.


SP Jose Sanchez

Here’s another of those pitchers no one ever talks about. He’s been 40-33 in his 5year Mets career and will probably not be protects in the next Rule V draft. The Mets would definitely invite him back to anchor the AAA squad in 2009 if no one takes him. Sanchez turns 25 next May.


SP Sal Aguilar

Aguilar was having a killer season (10-3, 3.14), when he went on the DL,after being diagnosed with a tear in his right ulnar collateral ligament. He’s be 27 next year, which will be his 5th as a Met. If he recovers before the spring, he’ll be at AAA.


SP Tobi Stoner (Mack prospect #28)

Stoner was moved up to AA before any of the other class of 2006, and did have his bumps and grinds, but he had the same highs and lows when he first hit the A+ level. Lows happen to every pitching prospect that jump a level, but the great ones work it out. So far, Stoner looks like he has what it takes to someday be great. Look for him at the AAA level sometime in 2009.


SP Mike Antonini (Mack prospect # 18)

Ask any scout if Antonini is a prospect and most say no. So, all Mike does is go out and pitch well at all levels he’s performed at (9-6, 2.43, 1.04 over 2 years, 5 teams). Next year will probably bring a spring return to Binghamton, but I have a feeling he’ll wind up
at the AAA level before the year is done.


SP Jake Ruckle (Mack prospect # 23)

Here’s a kid that was just moving on up the ladder, year after year, and then, boom, out for the season on the IR. His 4 year total from GCL to the B-Mets is 24-16, 3.26, 1.19 in 69 games, 45 starts. Now, he’s got all these kiddies like Stoner, Gee, Owen, and Antonini trying to pass him by. I still think his future on the Mets is as a reliever, but let’s first let the ‘Ruckle Nation’ heal. Probably back to AA for the start of 2009.


SP Dylan Owen ( Mack prospect # 25)
Owen started out this season at Lucy and got a well deserved promotion to the B-Mets for a job well done. He spent the last month getting banged around at the AA level and I would expect to hear from him in the winter league next month. Owen definitely shows great promise.


SP Dillon Gee (Mack prospect # 16)

If you think Owen showed promise, wait to see this kid. Gee became the ace of the Lucy staff when no one expected him to and he has continued to pitch lights out for the B-Mets. Like Antonini, and Owen, no prospect websites said a peep about these three when they were drafted, yet all they have done is excell at all levels. The pitching rotation for the B-Mets next year is going to be the bomb (can I still say that?).


RP Casey Hoorelbeke

Casey was a 29th draft pick in the 2000 draft by Marlins, who gave up on him last year. There loss. He pitched very well for the B-Mets and will most probably go to the AAA club in the spring.